Pegboard Hanger Assembly

ABSTRACT

A pegboard hanger assembly is provided for mounting on a pegboard surface. The pegboard includes a first hole formed therethrough. The pegboard hanger assembly includes: a hanger including a hanger base and a pin projecting from a rear surface thereof, the pin including flanged end and a grommet locatable on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface, the grommet including a passage formed therethrough and an inwardly projecting shoulder formed within the passage of the grommet. The pin projecting from the hanger is insertable through the passage of the grommet and the flanged end of the pin is insertable through the shoulder of the passage of the grommet when the grommet is located on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface to secure the hanger on the pegboard surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and is a non-provisional of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/806,920 for a “PegboardHanger Assembly” filed on Feb. 18, 2019, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of storage and hanger devices. Moreparticularly, this disclosure relates to a pegboard hanger assembly forsecurely supporting and organizing items on a pegboard.

BACKGROUND

Pegboards are commonly used for organizing, for storage and for hangingitems such as tools on a wall or other surface. Pegboards typicallyinclude a plurality of uniformly spaced-apart holes formed through asheet of material. Various hangers exist that may be mounted on apegboard surface for supporting various items on the pegboard, such astools and other related items.

Existing hangers typically rely on portions of the hangers aligning withand extending through holes in the pegboard. Many existing hangers usemetal hooks or other similar mechanisms to fit the hangers to thepegboard. These existing hangers do not create a sturdy support andinstead allow for significant movement between the hanger and thepegboard. As a result, when a tool or other item is lifted from thehanger the hanger may become dislodged from the pegboard and requirereplacement.

Other existing hangers may be attached to pegboard such as by securinghangers to the pegboard with zip ties, locking mechanisms, or otherfasteners. While providing a more secure attachment to the pegboard,such fasteners increase a difficulty of both installation and removal ofthe hanger. In addition, there is currently no way to identify items orinformation easily and directly onto the hook.

What is needed, therefore, is an improved pegboard hanger assembly thatsecurely supports items on the pegboard while also allowing the pegboardhanger assembly to be easily installed and removed from the pegboardsurface, and readily allows identifiers to be attached directly to thehook.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by an improved pegboard hangerassembly that securely supports items on the pegboard while alsoallowing the pegboard hanger assembly to be easily installed and removedfrom the pegboard surface. In a first aspect, a pegboard hanger assemblyis provided for mounting on a pegboard surface including a first holeformed therethrough. The pegboard hanger assembly includes: a hangerincluding a hanger base and a pin projecting from a rear surfacethereof, the pin including flanged end and a grommet locatable on the atleast one hole formed through the pegboard surface, the grommetincluding a passage formed therethrough and an inwardly projectingshoulder formed within the passage of the grommet. The pin projectingfrom the hanger is insertable through the passage of the grommet and theflanged end of the pin is insertable through the shoulder of the passageof the grommet when the grommet is located on the at least one holeformed through the pegboard surface to secure the hanger on the pegboardsurface.

In one embodiment, the hanger further includes a hook projecting fromthe rear surface of the hanger, wherein the hook is insertable through asecond hole of the pegboard surface to further secure the hanger on thepegboard surface. In another embodiment, the hook includes an upwardlyprojecting end insertable through the second hole of the pegboardsurface. In one embodiment, the hook projects sideways relative to thehanger base. In yet another embodiment, the upwardly projecting endcurves inwards towards the hanger base such that the upwardly projectingend contacts a back of the pegboard surface. In one embodiment, theupwardly projecting end is reliantly flexible relative to the hangerbase.

In another embodiment, the grommet further includes a bevel formedaround an open end of the passage through the grommet. In yet anotherembodiment, the pin further includes a flared portion located betweenthe flange end of the pin and the hanger base.

In one embodiment, the grommet is integrally formed on the first hole ofthe pegboard surface.

In another embodiment, the pegboard hanger assembly further includes anaccessory hook extending from a front face of the hanger base forsupporting one or more items on the pegboard surface.

In yet another embodiment, the grommet further includes a split formedalong a length of the grommet such that the grommet is insertablethrough the first hole of the pegboard surface.

In a second aspect, a pegboard hanger assembly for mounting on apegboard surface including a first hole and a second hole formedtherethrough includes: a hanger including a hanger base, a pinprojecting from a rear surface thereof and including a flanged end, anda hook projecting from a rear surface of the hanger base and a grommetlocatable on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface,the grommet including a passage formed therethrough and an inwardlyprojecting shoulder formed within the passage of the grommet. The pinprojecting from the hanger is insertable through the passage of thegrommet and the flanged end of the pin is insertable through theshoulder of the passage of the grommet when the grommet is located onthe at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface to secure thehanger on the pegboard surface.

In a third aspect, a pegboard hanger assembly for mounting on a pegboardsurface including a first hole and a second hole formed therethroughincludes: a hanger including a hanger base, a pin projecting from a rearsurface thereof and including a flanged end, and a hook projecting froma rear surface of the hanger base, wherein the hook is resilientlyflexible relative to the hanger base, and a grommet locatable on the atleast one hole formed through the pegboard surface, the grommetincluding a passage formed therethrough and an inwardly projectingshoulder formed within the passage of the grommet. The pin projectingfrom the hanger is insertable through the passage of the grommet and theflanged end of the pin is insertable through the shoulder of the passageof the grommet when the grommet is located on the at least one holeformed through the pegboard surface to secure the hanger on the pegboardsurface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elementsare not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein likereference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views,and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a pegboard hanger assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a hanger according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a grommet according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a grommet installed on apegboard according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a step of installing a grommet on a pegboard according toone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a step of inserting an upper hook of a hanger into apegboard according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of a step of inserting an upperhook of a hanger into a pegboard according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a step of snapping a lower pin of a hanger onto a grommetaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a grommet of a pegboard assembly according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a pegboard hanger assembly according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various terms used herein are intended to have particular meanings. Someof these terms are defined below for the purpose of clarity. Thedefinitions given below are meant to cover all forms of the words beingdefined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense, past tense). If thedefinition of any term below diverges from the commonly understoodand/or dictionary definition of such term, the definitions belowcontrol.

FIG. 1 shows a basic embodiment of a pegboard hanger assembly 10 forsupporting an item on a pegboard surface 12. The pegboard hangerassembly 10 is readily secured to the pegboard surface 12 and provides asturdy support for supporting items, such as tools or other accessories.The pegboard hanger assembly 10 is readily installed on and removed fromthe pegboard surface 12 without requiring any specialized tools or otherdevices to aid in installation and removal. Embodiments of the presentdisclosure are suitable for any surface that has been made, modified, orused to receive pegboard style hooks or any surface or item that iscapable of holding pegboard style or similar hooks. For example, whileembodiments illustrated in figures herein show the pegboard surface 12having a plurality of circular holes, it is also understood thatembodiments of the pegboard hanger assembly 10 described herein may besuitable for use with various other types of surfaces, such as thosehaving elongated holes or slots or other various similar surfaces.

The pegboard hanger assembly 10 includes a hanger 14 and a grommet 16for securing the hanger 14 to the pegboard surface 12. The hanger 14removably engages the grommet 16 to form a tight fit of the hanger 14 tothe pegboard surface 12 to prevent the hanger 14 from becoming dislodgedfrom the pegboard surface 12 when hanging and removing items from thehanger 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, the hanger 14 includes a hanger base 18. The hangerbase 18 is preferably substantially flat and elongated in shape. Ahooked portion 20 is formed on the hanger base 18 for supporting anitem, such as a tool, on the hanger 14. While FIG. 2 shows a specificembodiment of a hanger 14 having the hooked portion 20, it is alsounderstood that embodiments of the pegboard hanger assembly 10 may beimplemented on a variety of accessories supported on the pegboardsurface 12. For example, instead of the hooked portion 20 it is to beunderstood that embodiments of the hanger 14 may include double hooks,elongated hooks, baskets, bins, shelves, loops for securing cordsthereon, and other accessories that may be secured to the pegboardsurface 12. Alternatively, a face of the hanger base 18 may include amagnet or other similar components formed thereon for releasablysecuring one or more items on the hanger base 18.

The hanger 14 includes an upper hook 22 projecting from the hanger base18 towards an upper end of the hanger base 18. The upper hook 22 isshaped to be inserted into one of the plurality of holes formed throughthe pegboard surface 12 and includes an upwardly projecting end 24 thatis shaped to secure the upper end of the hanger base 18 to the pegboardsurface 12. The upwardly projecting end 24 may be spaced apart from aback side of the hanger base 18 a distance that is proximate to athickness of the pegboard surface 12 such that the upper hook 22 tightlysecures the hanger base 18 to the pegboard surface 12 when the hanger 14is attached to the pegboard surface 12 as discussed in greater detailbelow. The upper hook 22 has a diameter that is less than a diameter ofholes formed through the pegboard surface 12 such that the upper hook 22is insertable through holes of the pegboard surface 12.

Referring to FIG. 10, in one embodiment the upwardly projecting end 24of the upper hook 22 is shaped such that the upper hook 22 is adaptableto the pegboard surface 12 having varying degrees of thickness. In theembodiment of FIG. 10, the upwardly projecting end 24 of the upper hook22 is resiliently flexible with respect to the hanger base 18 such thatthe upper hook 22 secures the hanger base 18 to the pegboard surface 12when a thickness of the pegboard surface 12 varies. As shown in FIG. 10,the upper hook 22 initially projects from the hanger base 18 such thatthe upper hook 22 substantially extends through the pegboard surface 12.The upper hook 22 is preferably inwardly curved such that the upper hook22 curves back towards the pegboard surface 12. The upwardly projectingend 24 of the upper hook 22 preferably contacts a back of the pegboardsurface 12, thereby securing at least an upper portion of the hangerbase 18 to the pegboard surface 12. While reference is made herein tothe upwardly projecting end 24 of the upper hook 22, it is alsounderstood that embodiments may include locating the upper hook 22 suchthat the upwardly projecting end 24 extends in other suitabledirections, such as laterally or downwardly with respect to the hanger14.

Embodiments of the hanger 14 may include a hole, slot, or other similarfeature formed on the hanger 14 for securing an identifier to the hanger14 to identify an item to be stored on or hung from the hanger 14. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1 a hole 25 may be formed through the hanger14 for receiving a tag or other visual indicator to be hung from thehanger 14. The hanger 14 may include a slot 27 located on the hanger 14for supporting the visual indicator (such as a card or other indicator).In one example, the hanger 14 may further include a small secondary hook29 formed on the hanger base 18 for receiving a tag or other visualindicator. Similarly, a snap 31 or other similar attachment means may beformed on the hanger base 18 for receiving a tag or other visualindicator on the hanger 14.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the hanger 14 further includes a lowerpin 26 projecting from and formed on the hanger base 18. The lower pin26 is shaped to include a flanged end 28 and a flared portion 30 formedalong a length of the lower pin 26 between the flanged end 28 and thehanger base 18. The lower pin 26 is preferably formed at a bottom end ofthe hanger base 18 and extends substantially parallel to at least aportion of the upper hook 22 towards the pegboard surface 12.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the pegboard hanger assembly 10 furtherincludes the grommet 16 shaped to form a snap fit engagement with thelower pin 26 on the pegboard surface 12. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, an innerportion of the grommet 16 is shaped to fit with the flanged end 28 andthe flared portion 30 of the lower pin 26. The grommet 16 includes abody 32 that has a diameter such that the body 32 is insertable throughholes of the pegboard surface 12 during installation of the pegboardhanger assembly 10. A split 34 is formed along a length of the body 32such that sides of the body 32 are resiliently flexible, such as byflexing outwardly when the lower pin 26 is inserted into the grommet 16.While the grommet 16 is described as being secured on the pegboardsurface 12 by flexing outwardly, it is also understood that the grommet16 may otherwise be secured to the pegboard surface 12, such as by atwisting expansion of the grommet 16 or a peg having a compressiblematerial applied over a smaller stiffer peg or cover. Embodiments mayalso include use of more flexible or tackier materials that would allowthe grommet to engage the pegboard surface 12 without the use of thesplit 34.

An inner portion of the grommet 16 further includes a shoulder 36 formedaround the inner portion of the grommet 16 proximate to an open end 38of the grommet 16. The shoulder 36 is shaped to engage the flaredportion 16 of the lower pin 26 to substantially secure the lower pin 26within the grommet 16. The open end 38 further preferably includes abevel 40 formed around the open end 38 to aid in inserting the lower pin26 into the grommet 16 as discussed in greater detail below. Embodimentsof the present disclosure may include a grommet 16 formed of a flexiblematerial that can receive the lower pin 26 such that the grommet 16expands without the split 34. In one embodiment, the grommet 16 mayinclude a groove or gap formed thereon to aid in removal of the grommetfrom the pegboard surface 12, such as by inserting a tool or otherdevice into the groove or gap between the grommet 16 and the pegboardsurface 12. In one embodiment, the grommet 16 is substantiallyintegrated with a pegboard such that the hanger 14 may be installedthereon.

The hanger 14 and grommet 16 are preferably molded of a polymer materialsuch that elements of the hanger 14 and grommet 16 are readilymanufactured and further such that portion of the hanger 14 and/orgrommet 16 are resiliently flexible during installation and use of thehanger assembly 10. The hanger 14 and grommet 16 may each be formed as asingle piece, such as by injection molding.

To install the hanger assembly 10 on a pegboard surface 12, the grommet16 is pressed into a first hole 42 formed through the pegboard surface12, as shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the hanger 14 isnext installed on the pegboard surface 12. In a first step, the upperhook 22 is inserted into a second hole 44 of the pegboard surface 12.The orientation of the upper hook 22 is such that the hanger 14 may betilted to properly insert the upper hook 22 into the second hole 44 ofthe pegboard surface 12. After inserting the upper hook 22 into thesecond hole 44, the hanger 14 is then tilted towards a position whereinthe hanger base 18 is flat against the pegboard surface 12. The lowerpin 26 is aligned with the open end 38 of the grommet 16 and the bevel40 formed around the open end 38 of the grommet aids in aligning thelower pin 26 with the open end 38 of the grommet 16. As the lower pin 26is inserted into the open end 38 of the grommet 16, the hanger 14 ispressed against the pegboard surface 12 until the lower pin 26 snapsinto the grommet 16.

When the lower pin 26 of the hanger 14 is installed on the grommet 16 onthe pegboard surface 12, the hanger 14 is secured by the lower pin 26being secured to the grommet 16 and the grommet 16 thereby also beingsecured to the pegboard surface 12. When the grommet 16 is removablyinstalled on the pegboard surface 12, insertion of the lower pin 26 intothe grommet 16 prevents the grommet 16 from being removed from thepegboard surface 12. For example, when the lower pin 26 is inserted intothe grommet 16, an outer edge of the grommet 16 contacts edges of atleast one aperture formed through the pegboard surface 12 tosubstantially prevent removal of the grommet 16 from the pegboardsurface 12 until the lower pin 26 is removed from the grommet 16.

The hanger 14 is thereafter tightly secured to the pegboard surface 12with the grommet 16 and the upper hook 22. As shown in the figures, theupper hook 22 tightens the hanger base 18 against the pegboard surface12 when the lower pin 26 is snapped into the grommet 16. Further, as thelower pin 26 is inserted into the grommet 16, the body 32 of the grommet16 expands about the split 34 formed in the body 32 to tightly securethe grommet 16 within the first hole 42 of the pegboard surface 12.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10 wherein the upper hook 22 is inwardlyhooked and contacts a back side of the pegboard surface 12, when thelower pin 26 is secured to the grommet 16, the resiliently flexibleupper hook 22 is flexed such that a preload is created on the hanger 14to prevent any play or movement of the hanger 14 relative to thepegboard surface 12. As the lower pin 26 is urged towards the grommet16, the resiliently flexible upper hook 22 resists pivoting of thehanger 14. When the lower pin 26 is inserted into the grommet 16, theconnection between the lower pin 26 and the grommet 16 is such that theresiliently flexible upper hook 22 remains in tension without causingthe lower pin 26 to release from the grommet 16.

Embodiments of the pegboard hanger assembly 10 include a kit of partsthat may be provided for securing the hanger 14 to pegboard surfaceshaving a variety of shapes and dimensions. For example, and as shown inFIG. 9, a plurality of grommets may be molded and provided with thegrommets having different sizes to fit within various pegboard surfaceshaving holes with varying dimensions. A user may select a grommet thatis best sized to fit within a particular pegboard for use with thehanger 14. In one embodiment, a variety of grommets are provided thatare shaped to fit with a pegboard surface having holes with varyingdiameters and with pegboard surfaces having varying thicknesses. Inanother embodiment, all or portions of the grommet 16 may be integrallyformed as part of the pegboard surface 12.

The pegboard hanger assembly 10 of the present disclosure advantageouslyallows installation of a pegboard hanger on a pegboard such that thehanger is securely mounted on the pegboard. Any play or movement of thehanger is substantially reduced as the hanger is tightly secured againstthe pegboard. Further, no tools may be required to install the hanger,nor is access to a backside of the pegboard required to secure thehanger to the pegboard. The pegboard hanger assembly 10 of the presentdisclosure may allow for ready installation and removal of the hanger tosecurely support tools and other items on the pegboard.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the presentdisclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the preciseform(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and describedin an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of thedisclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one ofordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in thedisclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications andvariations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by theappended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to whichthey are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pegboard hanger assembly for mounting on apegboard surface including a first hole formed therethrough, thepegboard hanger assembly comprising: a hanger including a hanger baseand a pin projecting from a rear surface thereof, the pin includingflanged end and a grommet locatable on the at least one hole formedthrough the pegboard surface, the grommet including a passage formedtherethrough and an inwardly projecting shoulder formed within thepassage of the grommet; wherein pin projecting from the hanger isinsertable through the passage of the grommet and the flanged end of thepin is insertable through the shoulder of the passage of the grommetwhen the grommet is located on the at least one hole formed through thepegboard surface to secure the hanger on the pegboard surface.
 2. Thepegboard hanger assembly of claim 1, the hanger further comprising ahook projecting from the rear surface of the hanger, wherein the hook isinsertable through a second hole of the pegboard surface to furthersecure the hanger on the pegboard surface.
 3. The pegboard hangerassembly of claim 2, the hook including an upwardly projecting endinsertable through the second hole of the pegboard surface.
 4. Thepegboard assembly of claim 3, wherein the upwardly projecting end curvesinwards towards the hanger base such that the upwardly projecting endcontacts a back of the pegboard surface.
 5. The pegboard assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the upwardly projecting end is resiliently flexiblerelative to the hanger base.
 6. The pegboard assembly of claim 1, thegrommet further comprising a bevel formed around an open end of thepassage through the grommet.
 7. The pegboard assembly of claim 1, thepin further comprising a flared portion located between the flange endof the pin and the hanger base.
 8. The pegboard assembly of claim 1,wherein the grommet is integrally formed on the first hole of thepegboard surface.
 9. The pegboard assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising an accessory hook extending from a front face of the hangerbase for supporting one or more items on the pegboard surface.
 10. Thepegboard hanger assembly of claim 1, the grommet further comprising asplit formed along a length of the grommet such that the grommet isinsertable through the first hole of the pegboard surface.
 11. Apegboard hanger assembly for mounting on a pegboard surface including afirst hole and a second hole formed therethrough, the pegboard hangerassembly comprising: a hanger including a hanger base, a pin projectingfrom a rear surface thereof and including a flanged end, and a hookprojecting from a rear surface of the hanger base and a grommetlocatable on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface,the grommet including a passage formed therethrough and an inwardlyprojecting shoulder formed within the passage of the grommet; whereinpin projecting from the hanger is insertable through the passage of thegrommet and the flanged end of the pin is insertable through theshoulder of the passage of the grommet when the grommet is located onthe at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface to secure thehanger on the pegboard surface.
 12. A pegboard hanger assembly formounting on a pegboard surface including a first hole and a second holeformed therethrough, the pegboard hanger assembly comprising: a hangerincluding a hanger base, a pin projecting from a rear surface thereofand including a flanged end, and a hook projecting from a rear surfaceof the hanger base, wherein the hook is resiliently flexible relative tothe hanger base, and a grommet locatable on the at least one hole formedthrough the pegboard surface, the grommet including a passage formedtherethrough and an inwardly projecting shoulder formed within thepassage of the grommet; wherein pin projecting from the hanger isinsertable through the passage of the grommet and the flanged end of thepin is insertable through the shoulder of the passage of the grommetwhen the grommet is located on the at least one hole formed through thepegboard surface to secure the hanger on the pegboard surface.